Reviewer:
JayKay49
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May 4, 2014 Subject:
A Typical CBS Schedule
CBS often had a strong start to the week which dwindled especially after Wednesday. Seems like it was like that for much of the 60's. I was 10 here and
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the Alvin thing was of no interest. Yuck.
This preview originally aired on the network on September 15, 1961, and it was also shown locally on most of their affiliates before the new season began
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the following week. CBS continued to have virtually all of the "Top 10" shows in the Nielsen ratings in the 1961-'62 season, and this lineup is why. You can see the rise OF "rural comedies" through the popularity of "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" (Andy himself, in character as "Sheriff Taylor", is one of the network stars acting as "round robin" hosts for this preview), the rise of Herbert Brodkin's "THE DEFENDERS", one of the finest legal series ever produced for TV... ...and the beginning of "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW", which James "The Smiling Cobra" Aubrey, CBS' president and chief programmer, didn't really want on his schedule, but was "forced" to take it through co-executive producer Danny Thomas (and the William Morris Agency), who still had his highly-rated show on CBS, and sponsor Procter & Gamble. Aubrey deliberately tried to "sabotage" the series by initially scheduling it in a weak time period: 8pm(et) on Tuesdays, then officially cancelled the show at the end of the season. But co-executive producer Sheldon Leonard went to P&G's headquarters in Cincinnati, pleading with them to give the show another chance. They did, telling Aubrey that if the Wednesday night time period he moved it to in January 1962 wasn't made available for another season of Van Dyke that fall, they'd pull ALL of their advertising and daytime soaps off CBS and move them to the other networks. Aubrey had to renew the series [this is one reason why he hated dealing with stars, their agents and sponsors, preferring to make his own programming decisions without any "interference"]- and it flourished right after HIS personal choice, "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES", in the fall of 1962. Some elements are missing from this film print: a brief "DOBIE GILLIS" section; a description of Wednesday night's alternating series, "THE UNITED STATES STEEL HOUR" and "ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATER"- "TV's finest dramatic hour"; and, at the end, a list of specials that were going to appear that season. Other than that, a very entertaining "fall preview". Garry Moore's cast members, Carol Burnett and Durward Kirby, have a very amusing spot; Sebastian Cabot of "CHECKMATE" could "sell" anything, even "THE ALVIN SHOW" [CBS' answer to "THE FLINTSTONES", which lasted one season {and originally telecast in black and white; CBS telecast NO color programming until 1965, and color prints of "THE ALVIN SHOW" weren't syndicated until the fall of '65}]. Rod Serling, of course, was always somewhat of a "ham"- even in his duties hosting "THE TWILIGHT ZONE"- and his wry commentary on the new Friday night offerings are most enjoyable. And, contrary to popular belief...Ed Sullivan COULD smile if he wanted to!
I was only 3 the year this promo was aired, but a lot of the shows continued in the years to follow. TV from the 1950's and 1960's was more entertaining
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that what we have today. The commercials were much better too. A lot of today's shows have people appear on national TV only to be humiliated. Shows like AGT and American Idol. Please don't get me wrong, we have had some great talent come from these two shows, but the ones that don't make it are so sure they will win then they are insulted by the judges and have their dreams crushed. I miss the old variety shows and even the old game shows. A few classics still air on RTN but they air a lot of newer classics like The Incredible Hulk, Simon & Simon, Air Wolf, The A-Team, Night Rider. There were some great TV shows and cartoons from the 50's and 60's that I really miss. The Mischief Makers, The Milton The Monster Show, Tennessee Tuxedo, Under Dog, Dudley Do-Right, Car-54 Where Are You? My Mother The Car, The Mother In-Laws, It's About Time, Marcus Welby M.D. Julia, The Wild, Wild West, Wagon Train just to name a few. TV Land use to air some good classics but it isn't the same when Nickelodeon first started. Even Cartoon Network/Boomerang only airs a few classic cartoons.
These are wonderful to watch and bring back lots of memories! Also included, a nice surprise clip of early comedienne extraordinaire - Carol Burnett (as
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the belly dancer)!
A couple of duds, But mostly a good showcase for the wonderland of early 60's TV, before rubbish like "Laugh-In" ruined it. There are some good shows here,
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which recieved both good reviews and good ratings.
Reviewer:
riesen2b
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 20, 2008 Subject:
Great Showcase
I can remember growing up in the sixties really looking forward to these promo specials highlighting the new tv season. This one is especially good in
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that several great shows were featured in it, most notably The Dick Van Dyke Show. The clip of Twighlight Zone that is shown is one of the classics. Overall it looked like a terrific season for CBS. The quality of this video is surprisingly good for something that CBS must have had buried in their vaults after all these years.
Seriously, Most of the shows plugged during this special look very good, and you can't beat talent like Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Rod Serling and Alan
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Young. The ones which I've seen are excellent, even the kiddie show "Mister Ed" was surprisingly witty. Even the worst show here, "Pete and Gladys", Still looks better than any of those inane reality TV shows of today. So, Yes, The Promo does it's job, Because I now want to see more shows from that season!
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